Impact of Restorative Treatment for Intrinsic Tooth Discoloration on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract Background: Intrinsic tooth discoloration can adversely affect oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), particularly through its esthetic and psychosocial consequences. However, evidence on changes in OHRQoL following restorative treatment remains limited, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Objectives: To evaluate changes in OHRQoL following restorative treatment for intrinsic tooth discoloration among patients attending a tertiary healthcare institution in southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This prospective longitudinal pre–post interventional study consecutively recruited patients aged ≥16 years with untreated intrinsic discoloration of permanent teeth. OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-Aesthetic (OHIP-Aesthetic) questionnaire at baseline and at 2 and 8 weeks after restorative treatment. Changes in OHIP-Aesthetic scores were analyzed using paired-samples t -tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0 .05. Results: Of 111 participants initially recruited, 70 completed the 8-week follow-up (retention rate, 63.1%). The participants had a mean age of 26.8 ± 6.8 years. The mean overall OHIP-Aesthetic score decreased from 30.66 ± 1.32 at baseline to 14.37 ± 1.04 at 2 weeks and 9.93 ± 1.00 at 8 weeks after treatment, indicating progressive improvement in OHRQoL. Significant reductions in overall OHIP-Aesthetic scores were observed following treatment ( P < 0 .001), with improvement sustained and further enhanced at 8 weeks. Most individual OHIP-Aesthetic domains also improved significantly. Conclusion: Restorative treatment for intrinsic tooth discoloration was associated with substantial and progressive improvements in OHRQoL. These findings support the potential value of restorative management in addressing the esthetic and psychosocial concerns associated with intrinsic tooth discoloration.